Pirates vs Angels Preview: Exciting Matchup Ahead

We start our Pirates vs Angels preview with a look at the opening betting line for this weekend’s series. Pittsburgh sends Johan Oviedo (3-10, 4.53 era) to the hill against Shohei Ohtani (7-5, 3.50) for the Halos. Oddsmakers have made Los Angeles a -195/+178 favorite in game one with a total of 8.5 (+105/-125). The first pitch is scheduled for 9:38 pm ET/6:38 pm PT.

Pirates In Familiar Territory

Pittsburgh Pirates fans have been treated to another disappointing season, with even more on the way. The August 1st trade deadline is less than two weeks away and the Pirates will once again be a team the rest of the league will pick through. Closer David Bednar (3-1, 1.18 era, 18 saves) is likely the biggest asset the Pirates have, followed closely by Andrew McCutchen (.266, 10 HR, 28 RBI).

If McCutchen is traded, you can bet on sparse crowds at PNC Park after GM Ben Cherington paraded the 5-time all-star around like he was instrumental in bringing the fan favorite back to Pittsburgh. Truth is, McCutchen called them. In addition, before the Pirates vs Angels matchup, injured Ke’Bryan Hayes (back) said he was frustrated in Pittsburgh, something he later restated as being frustrated with his back problem.

We don’t buy into that because his dad, former big league player Charlie Hayes was also heard saying things along those lines in earshot of the Pittsburgh media. Something to watch as August first nears. As far as trying to figure out late MLB score predictions, we need to add that despite Oviedo’s 10 losses, he has pitched well enough to have won a few more games.

The Pirates have given the 22-year-old Cuban just 3.86 runs of support in 2022 and less than three runs in 13 of his 19 starts. Six of Oviedo’s last eight starts have produced a quality start while giving up 25 earned runs in 49.1 innings (4.56 era), but factor in the eight earned runs he allowed against the Milwaukee Brewers two starts ago. We continue our Pirates vs Angels preview with a look at the Los Angeles Angels.

Ohtani Watch In Full Effect

Pirates fans aren’t alone in nervously anticipating the trade deadline. The biggest story is where will the best player in baseball go, if anywhere. Owner Artie Moreno was quoted as saying that Ohtani would not be traded, so if you believe that baseball’s biggest prize will have to wait until the offseason to know his extended fate. Check out the Angels standings for more insights.

In the meantime, the Angels will use the next six games to gain some ground on the wild card leaders in the American League. With three games at home against Pittsburgh, followed by a winnable three games in Detroit, this is a stretch that should result in a 7-3 record, 6-4 at worst.

To make these next six games more important, Los Angeles will follow that up with a head-to-head showdown with the Toronto Blue Jays, the club they trail by 4.5 games for the final wild-card spot. Before you run to the counter and bet on the Angels blindly because there’s a massive difference between the two clubs in the Major League Baseball standings, considering how the Angels have struggled against teams playing less than .500 baseball.

In 2023, Los Angeles is 25-21 against the poorer teams in baseball, costing bettors 158 units. That has been a consistent outcome over the years with a record of 159-135 (-1677 units) against teams under .500. Be careful blindly putting your money behind a team that usually plays down to their competition, even if it is against the Pirates. We conclude our Pirates vs Angels preview with our official game one selection.

Expect Opening Number to Go to The Heavens

With Ohtani on the mound, you can expect bettors to sprint to the window to bet the Angels. Happens every time and with the Pirates in town, the mass majority of wagers will be on the home team. We know the Pirates’ numbers are bad, but many were surprised that the Angels were not easily North of a -200 favorite.

We fully expected Los Angeles to be in the -240 range, making this number very suspicious. We know Mike Trout isn’t going to be available when the Angels submit their MLB lineup, but there is no comparison between Pittsburgh whose team batting average of .236 (22nd) is a direct reflection of an offense that produces just 4.13 runs per game (27th).

Los Angeles is one run shy of being in the top five in runs scored and third in the Majors with 147 homers. There is no comparison between the two clubs, but yet there is that number. This is what we’re going to do with a shaky hand, take the Pittsburgh Pirates but get the +1.5 (-135) for insurance. We think this is going to be one of those games where runs will be at a premium in what should be a tight, one-score affair. That does it for our Pirates vs Angels preview, all the best with your wagers this weekend.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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